Close game at Greenwood

Billingham Lions v Morpeth
The rain stopped the wind dropped and Billingham took to the field with a couple of enforced changes from last week with Sudron having to move to ten instead of full back where he has had some notable performances for the Lions in the past. McCabe stayed in the front row and is learning the craft quickly twisting his opposite number inside and out. Like last week against Whestoe, Morpeth looked a changed side with a lot more experience in the side. The first exchanges were shared equally but on twelve minutes an error out wide resulted in a Morpeth penalty to start the scoring. The clock ticked by and with a quarter of the game gone the visitors added seven points with a converted try. A couple of minutes later the Lions were awarded a long range penalty and without Armstrong we went to Finney who stroked it over with ease. Coulle drove in hard and took a knock to the head bringing on the experienced lock Scott who went to eight. On the half hour Youdale who gained yards all game with some great carries put in a massive hit dislodging the ball. Foster popped to Keenan who covered half the field to score in the corner. With minutes left the visitors crossed the line again but the kick drifted well wide. Straight from the kick off Burgum who again was everywhere tackling and linking with the backs was blocked off with the resulting penalty slotted yet again. Just on half time Foster pulled up with a strain and Woodhouse returning from injury needed to come on at outside centre.
Half time Billingham Lions 11 v Morpeth 15
Finney had to leave the field early in the half with a neck injury to be replaced by Lumley as the backs reshuffled and Sayers went to nine off the wing. Ker broke a couple of tackles and once again sprinted into space but three Morpeth defenders were just to much and they managed to kill the move. With a quarter of the .game left Morpeth added a further three points as Brown rang the changes and Hammond replaced Reay who had again put in a solid performance and Hopley came on for Westall. With ten minutes left Coulle returned to give a rest to Chapman who had shut down the blind side option with some good defensive work. Hopley showed his pace a couple of times racing clear and stepping off both feet. The Lions hammered the visitors line and Woodhouse was unlucky not to score when held up after taking a quick tap penalty on their twenty two in the dying minutes. Sudron drove the ball into touch deep into the opposition twenty-two and the resulting lineout was won by Fernie. Strangely the referee awarded a penalty to Morpeth for holding down the opposition jumper, it would appear Fernie has three arms as he tooh the ball in two hands. Despite desperate efforts from Tennant driving hard at the line the game ended with Morpeth taking the points in a game which could have gone either way.
Half time Billingham Lions 11 v Morpeth 18
Quote of the day “Balls on Fernie” (The oval rugby variety we think)
Mark Fernie from a driving maul
All players should attend training Tuesday and Thursday where possible and of course make sure your membership is up to date.